U.S. Name: ROADBUSTER   Jap. Name: N/A

Cartoon First Appearance: None

Marvel Comic First Appearance: (UK) The Transformers #82, Oct. 11, 1986, 30 lb

Dreamwave Comic First Appearance: Second Mini Series, Transformers #3, Jun/ 2003, $2.95

Toy Catalog Number: N/A

A quick comment:     Back to G-1: Review A-VI      Teletran-1

This is my first Roadbuster toy and I got it on Dec. X, Mmiii from Ebay which cost me ($CLXXX) $CC including shipping.  I guess what inspired me to get Roadbuster are his cool robot and vehicle mode, the many weapons/ accessories, and he was parted of the Wrecker team in Marvel comic.

R-0 Original Roadbuster's motto and tech specifications:  

Affiliate: autobots | Subgroup: wreckers | Function: ground assault commander | Alt. Mode: 4WD jeep |

| STR 8 | INTL 7 | SPD 5 | ENDN 9 | RNK 8 | CRG 10 | FRPW 6 | SKL 7 |

Original G1 Roadbuster Motto:

"War is a dirty business...and I'm as dirty as they come."

Original G1 Roadbuster Bio:

Likes to pass the time "demolishing Decepticons."  Not happy if not fighting...bores easily quietest of Autobots when not in battle.  Charismatic in combat....inspiring to fellow warriors.  Natural leader.  Can traverse most terrains as 4-WD.  600 mile range.  Carries turret-mounted linear blaster gun...can blow a hole in 2-foot-thick concrete.  As a robot has laser rifle and shrapnel0missile launcher.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me.  If you're a Transformers fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.  

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

[Thumbnail Size = 100xHeight]

R-1 Roadbuster in its Original condition:

R-2 Pre-Applied Decals/ Stickers: 

There is only one Pre-Applied sticker that had been applied onto Roadbuster.  That one pre-applied sticker is the Autobot Rub Sign logo located on Roadbuster right chest. 

Sticker Sheet:

Before I commented on Roadbuster stickers, I must say it was a hassle in applying his decal.  It took me almost 2 hours to complete it.  The reason is that Roadbuster stickers are made from a clear thin film sticker sheet, the precut weren't cut well, and most of them are so tiny.  My advice when applying Roadbuster stickers are to have the following items ready: scissor, thumb tack or small narrow object, good light, and make sure you are in a good mode.  Otherwise, you are going to have a headache and ended up ripping the stickers.

Anyhow, there are 42 registered numbering of stickers on the sticker sheet.  But in reality it's actually 66 stickers since some of the decals/ stickers are grouped or paired together and labeled it as one.  These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.  These registering numbering do not include the Pre-applied stickers.  

R-3 Roadbuster in Vehicle Mode:

Roadbuster was originally produced by Takatoku as the Mugen Caliber for the Armored Trooper Dorvack toy line/ show.  He and Jetfire share a lot of similarities from transformation to battle armor to sticker type.  This make sense since both figures were made by the same company Takatoku which later was sold to Bandai company.  Since this mold was not made or own by either Takara or Hasbro, it is very unlikely that we will see Roadbuster get released again.

As an Armored 4 Wheel Drive Jeep vehicle, Roadbuster is loaded with weapons making him a perfect ground commander.  He has 5 bombs on one side of his jeep, a gun on the other side, a linear blaster gun on top of his jeep, while his front bumper looks very massive.  The front bumper has a nice detail which show a rope that can be used to pull another vehicle in real life.  Unfortunately, this feature is sculpted rather than functional.  Otherwise, Roadbuster vehicle mode would look even more awesome.  The colors scheme aren't that bad too, orange, brown, and dark green which camouflage perfectly on a desert or forest when ambushing the enemy.

R-4 More View on Vehicle:

Top:  Three quarter view looking from the rear with linear blaster gun on the jeep.  Right image shows a frontal three quarter view without the linear blaster gun clips onto the jeep.

Bottom:  The underside of the jeep exposing Roadbuster face and arm.  Next to that is a top view of the frontal of the jeep showing Roadbuster sterile wheel and the brown jeep seat.

R-5 Roadbuster in Plain Robot Mode:

In robot mode, Roadbuster is well balance, good proportion, and nicely designed.  His biggest weakness in my opinion is the articulation, see R-8 for more.  Unlike Ultra Magnus where the leg and knee aren't possible, Roadbuster has the capability but the designer didn't give him one.  If Roadbuster doesn't stand properly, there are two locations that need to be checked and that would be the knee and the feet.  Make sure the knee or thigh is pull all the way out and the feet articulation is aligned properly for both side.  Roadbuster feet has two parts, be sure to split them out otherwise he will not stand properly.  Anyhow, this is Roadbuster in his true form without any extra accessories applied onto him.  All wheels are exposed and by the look of his robot form, it is possible to guess Roadbuster alternate mode very easily.  

Transforming Roadbuster is a little bit tricky especially the hip connection.  Starting from the vehicle mode, remove the linear blaster gun from the jeep.  First fold down the brown seat toward the steering wheel and then fold down the jeep front windowless shield  over the brown seat.  Next, slide the rear green slab with the Autobot insignia all the way up until it completely covers the steering wheel area.  For the leg, lift and rotate the right and left leg at a 180 degree.  Now turn the jeep over or the underside of the jeep; you will see Roadbuster head.  Extend each leg out by pulling the brown lower leg from the orange thigh.  On to the foot, push the green front foot out to reveal the main front portion of the foot.  The back of foot is hidden underneath the main foot, slide this piece out toward the back to complete the full foot.  Well stop right here and continue with the leg later on.  Now to go the arm and pull the should joint toward the side and then slide it up (top right corner).  Don't worry, it will not break.  Do the same for the other arm.  Now back to the leg, pull the left and right hip in tension on both side (top left image) until you see a smaller copper tube exposed out (bottom left image) from the big black tube joint.  Move the entire orange hip and the copper tube joint upward to meet the large hole of the crotch.  Now lock both hip by pushing toward the crotch.  The large orange hip peg connector goes in to the large hole of the crotch and the black peg tube of the crotch goes to the smaller hole of the orange hip.  Onto the head and torso.  Separate the green winch front bumper from the jeep orange main hood.  Now rotate the green winch bumper at a 180 degree toward the back (bottom right corner) and snap it into the hole.  Next, rotate the orange jeep main hood down to form the chest.   For the last steps, add his control power pack to his back and covers to hide his wheels for the completed transformation, see R-7.

R-6 With Wheels Cover:

Roadbuster wheels can be hidden or exposed as seen in R-5 by inserting his wheel covers.  Although inserting the covers are easy, I don't recommend in over using them to avoid breaking on the clipping tabs.  So with that said, either you leave it on or take it off.  Fortunately, the clip tabs on Roadbuster are more durable than Jetfire battle armored.    With the wheel covers on the back, Roadbuster resembled Jetfire even more i.g. twin boosters.

R-7 With Wheels Cover & Control/ Power Pack:

Finally, the complete configuration.  Roadbuster looks very finest when all of his accessories are applied onto him.  As a ground commander, Roadbuster is armed with a missile launcher on the shoulder, a laser rifle on one hand, a linear blaster gun on the other hand, a control and power pack on the back with handler, 5 bombs on one side of the lower leg, and a smaller gun on the other side of the lower leg.  Both the 5 bombs and the smaller gun on the lower leg are fixed and cannot be removed from its leg.  Due to child safety law, Roadbuster missile launcher had been deactivated and cannot be fired with the 5 black missiles.  And since Takara doesn't have the license to this mold, don't expect to see Roadbuster to get reissue or have an operable missile launcher.

R-8 Rémy's Roadbuster action figure review:

Manufacturer - Hasbro/ Bandai.

Line, Series/ Wave: Generation 1 Line, Series 2.

Year Issue: [1985]  

Made: [Japan]  

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD]  - Approximately 11 1/8 X 5 1/2 (with flap 8 1/8) X 4 1/2 - Box.

Packaging Method: Mint In Seal Box.  Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Sealed on a card within the box: "1" 4WD Armored Jeep.

On the side of the card board, a taped down bag which contained: "1" shrapnel missile launcher, "1" linear blaster gun (clip on jeep), "1" laser rifle, "4" yellow wheel covers, "1" power pack, "1" control pack, "2" handlers, "1" antenna, "5" missiles (on tree), and "1" infrared range finder (a tiny circular item).

On the same side of the card board, but on another sealed bag: "1" instruction sheet, "1" sticker sheet, "1" red decoder sheet, "1" Joint the S.T.A.R.S catalog, and "1" 1985 toy catalog poster (Autobots side and Decepticons side).

Box Special Note: Front Box Appearance: Roadbuster art.  Back Box Appearance: 1985 battle scene with Roadbuster Tech & Spec beneath that.

Box Point or Robot Point: [3]  - This number can be found on the back of the box next to the Tech & Spec. 

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head:  7 1/8  Maximum Height: 7 1/2 (up to missile launcher)  Width from shoulder to shoulder: 3 10/16  Maximum Width: 3 12/16 (from shoulder wheel cover to shoulder wheel cover)  Dept: 3 10/16 (w/ back pack), 5 (w/ backpack and antenna).

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print: - ©ASHI PRODUCTION 1984, ©(BANDAI LOGO) BANDAI, MADE IN JAPAN

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found on the rear but top of the jeep.

Transformation Of Difficulty: [Medium] - Can be tricky especially the hip bar joint and the shoulder.

Material Durability: [B] - Average

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal:  Lower leg (brown).  Chrome Metal: None.  Rubber: None, plastic tire.  Plastic: Main material.  Clear Plastic Window: None.

Stability: [-A] - Robot mode can stand on any flat surface...very stable.

Fun Toy: [A] - Definitely fun thanks to many acessories.

Negative Drawback - None. 

Articulations:  Head: Cannot be rotated. Shoulder:  Can be swung at a 360 degree. Arm/ Elbow: Cannot be bent.  Wrist/ Hand: Can be rotated 360 degree sideway.  Hand cannot be hidden.   Hip/ Waist: Cannot be rotated.  Leg: Cannot be bent.  However it is possible, but the figure will look awkward.  Knee: Cannot be bent.  Ankle/Feet: Can slightly mover up or down but no sideway movement.

Rub Sign Logo: [Yes] - The Autobot's rub sign located on the right chest.

Robot's Cartoon looks alike: [N/A]  

Vehicle's Cartoon looks alike: [N/A]   

Special Notes: Here are "4" special notes which I think you should know: 

1 - Due to the heavy weight on the upper body and the style of transformation, Roadbuster will suffer the compression leg syndrome over the long run once the material wears out.  In other word, Roadbuster leg will shrink down and bury into his feet which will make him look shorter.  If you want to avoid the problem, then leave Roadbuster in vehicle mode. 

2 - The small infrared range finder that clips onto the linear blaster gun of the jeep is easily lost.

3 - As the year progresses, Roadbuster shoulder will wear its material and prevent it from staying up.  To avoid this problem, don't over transform him.

4 - Don't overpower when pulling in tension to reveal his real pelvis joint since it uses spring during transformation.             

Overall Grade: [A] - This figure is beautiful in both mode and with many accessories to aid him, you can bet Roadbuster has a lot playing value. 

3.5x5 1/16sticker sheet size

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